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AFL Hawks wary of Cats' half-backs

Greg Buckle

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says Friday night's AFL preliminary final will be a battle of defences as the Hawks attempt to shut down some of the greats of the game and end their 11-match curse against Geelong.

Clarkson has told his men their losing run against the Cats since the 2008 grand final counts for nothing and their MCG knockout clash will be about one thing - winning a place in next week's grand final.

"Irrespective of what's happened in the past ... they just know the prize is enormous if you can get through this game," Clarkson told reporters on Thursday.

"That's pretty much what the focus for all our players will be."

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Four Geelong players were named this week in the 2013 All-Australian side and three of them - back pocket Corey Enright, centre half-back Harry Taylor and interchange player Andrew Mackie - are defenders.

Enright will miss Friday's preliminary final with a knee injury, but Clarkson remains wary of Geelong's defensive might.

Brownlow and Norm Smith Medallist Jimmy Bartel is another creative genius the Cats can use at half-back, although the Hawks have their own attacking flair in defence through the likes of Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell and play-making fullback Brian Lake.

The marking power of Lance Franklin, Coleman Medallist Jarryd Roughead and ruck/forward David Hale has the potential to stretch Geelong's backline.

"Defence is without doubt the real strength of their side. We're going to need to be smart with our ball use," Clarkson said.

"It will all depend on the way we can control the ball. If we can do that well we can give ourselves a great chance to find some targets inside 50."

Quizzed on Geelong's potential weakness at ground level in attack if big Tom Hawkins plays despite an ongoing back problem, Clarkson says precision is the key.

"Whenever we win the ball in our back half, we try to find a target on the way out. It's up to the Geelong side to try to stop that," he said.

"Similarly when we go inside our own (forward) half, Geelong have got probably the most attacking half-back line in the competition.

"So it will come down to which team can probably defend those plays the best.

"Hopefully it's us but we know it's a significant challenge for us with the quality of the Geelong half-backs."

Beaten grand finalists in 2012, Clarkson says the Hawks feel well-rested after a week off ahead of what he labels a heavyweight bout.

The minor premiers are set to regain Franklin from suspension and fellow forward Cyril Rioli, who hasn't played since August 24 because of an ankle injury.